Nicholas Kontaxis (b. 1996) is a self-taught Greek-American painter celebrated for his large-scale, colorful canvases and exuberant yet considered approach to mark-making. His work often features unconventional materials, such as spices, ash, coffee, and dirt, along with acrylics, ink, oils, and gouache. Using an array of over 250 palette knives and everyday objects like cake spatulas, plaster trowels, scrub brushes, mops, sticks, tires, and shoes, he creates richly textured works with surprising details and hieroglyphic markings that invite introspection, akin to a Rorschach test.

A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Kontaxis has held numerous solo exhibitions worldwide. His direct, emotional approach to abstract expressionism has resonated with audiences and garnered significant critical acclaim. Through his inspirational large-scale canvases, Nicholas has touched countless individuals and institutions all over the world. His work can be found in the collections of Beth Rudin DeWoody, Denise Gardner, Eric Schmidt, Joan Quinn, Jeremy Zimmer, Roger Federer, O’Melveny & Myers, and Barrow Neurological Institute, among others, and has been commissioned for Kaiser Permanente hospitals and Adidas.

Since he was 15 months old, Nicholas has lived with epilepsy caused by a brain tumor and has experienced over 75,000 seizures in his lifetime. He spends most of his waking hours in his home studio, sometimes working from a chair or lying on the ground when his condition worsens. Though his speech has been impacted by years of epilepsy, Nicholas does experience moments of clarity and his phrases are recorded for the titles of his works, offering viewers a poignant glimpse into his inner world.

He is currently working on his next solo exhibition in Athens, Greece. The “Catch Me” exhibition will be hosted at the Basil and Elise Goulandris Museum for two months, starting on March 18, 2025.